Feeding arrangement



NOV- 19, 1957 J. s. MENTZER FEEDING ARRANGEMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 11, 1955 .1I-TIEN ZCI.: @famed /.w/leztzer m10/ M Nov. 19, 1957 J. s. MENTZER FEEDING ARRANGEMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1l, 1955 mll Qxn m." u

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Nov. 19, 1957 J. s. MENTZER FEEDING ARRANGEMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May l1, 1955 United States PatentO FEEDING f'r' GEMENT James S. Mentzer, Chicago, lll., assignor to Cummins- Chicago Corp., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of illinois The present invention relates to feeders for feeding checks and the like for processing in a business machine.

The physical handling and processing of checks and other instruments in banks and business establishments is expensive since even a trained operator is relatively slow as compared to an automatic machine. In the past it has been necessary to resort to punched cards for automatic feeding and accounting operations in order to secure high speed combined with a high order of accuracy. However, the use of punched cards for checks is accompanied by a number of serious disadvantages and has met with poor acceptance on the part of the public. Techniques have been devised for coding information such as bank, account number and amount on an ordinary thin paper check by means of perforations, magnetic spots and the like. The use of automatic equipment for processing paper checks has nevertheless been delayed because of the difficulty of feeding the checks one by one into the automatic reading and processing machinery.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet feeding arrangement which insures the feeding of one sheet at a time into an automatic business machine such as an endorser, accounting machine or the like. It is another object to provide a sheet feeding arrangement for use with a feed roll and which is capable of separating sheets which may, for any reason be fed in multiple, for example, two or three at a time, from the feed roll. lt is another object of the present invention to provide a feeding arrangement which insures against the possibility of pile-up or jamming as a result of multiple feeding of checks from a feed roll or the like. It is a still further object of the invention to provide a feeding arrangement which is capable of handling checks and other pieces of paper having a wide range of stiffness varying from the standard punch card to the thinnest commercial paper stock normally employed. It is still another object to provide a feeding arrangement which insures feeding of sheets one by one independently of the surface condition.

It is an object of the invention to provide a feeding arrangement which is reliable but which is, nevertheless, simple and straightforward consisting of a minimum number of parts and easily adjusted and maintained. Finally, it is an object to provide a feeding arrangement which may be incorporated almost universally in various types of business machines requiring sequential feeding of individual sheets.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the attached detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying claims, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view, partially diagrammatic, showing the construction of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section taken along the line 2--2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2a is a fragmentary section taken through the separating rollers along the line 2li- 2a in Fig. l.

2,813,717 Patented Nov. 19, 1957 ICC Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partially diagrammatic of a modified form of the invention incorporating elec tric control of the feeding and capable of separating sheet fed three at a time.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of a form of rotatiol detector taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view of the rotation detector taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Pigs. 6-10 are a series of stop-motion diagrams show ing the sequence of operations which occurs upon th| feeding of three sheets at a time from the feed roll i1 Fig. 3.

While the invention has been described in connectioi with the preferred embodiments, it will be understoo that I do not intend to limit the invention thereto bu intend to cover all modifications and alternative construe tions and uses which may be included within the spiri and scope of the appended claims.

Turning now to Fig. 1, which may be referred to a the mechanical embodiment of the invention, there i shown a feeding arrangement 20 having a feeding plat form or hopper 21 supporting a stack of sheets 22 in th form of paper checks stacked on edge. The thicknes has been exaggerated for clarity in this figure and in sub sequent figures. Conventional means (not shown) an provided for urging the stack forwardly into contact wit] a front plate Z3 having an aperture 24. Mounted on thi outside of the front plate and with its periphery extend ing through the aperture 24 is a feed roll 25 mountet coaxially with respect to a drive shaft 26. As the dis cussion proceeds ti will be noted that the present in vention is not limited for use with any particular kim of feed member. However, 1n the present instance then is shown a rubber feed roll of the serrated type havin; a series of spaced ribs or projections 27. The feed rol in the present instance is rotatable with respect to thi drive shaft but is coupled to it by an over-running clutcl 2S of the type using a wrap-around spring 29 which i anchored to the drive shaft (Fig. 2) and which provide a positive drive in the direction of discharge.

During feeding the sheets are supported on a separato plate 30. This plate has a gradual upward curvature s1 arranged that the lower edges of the sheets tend to defin a constant angle of about nineteen degrees with th separator plate over the entire range of travel of th sheets, the curvature and angle being chosen so as tt reduce the likelihood of feeding more than one sheet a a time. It will, however, be understood that the varyin stiffness and surface condition of the sheets makes i impossible to produce absolute uniformity of feeding anl under some conditions sheets may be fed in multiple In the discussion that follows, the first three sheets wil be referred to as a, b and c in order to facilitate under standing the invention and to make the sheets easier t trace in the stop-motion views.

In accordance with the present invention, the sheets fet by the feed roll or equivalent feeding member are passet through a pair of separating rollers, one of which i power-driven, driving the second by friction. Further i1 accordance with the invention, a frictional drag is appliet to the second roller and means are provided for causin the feed roll to operate only during rotation of both o the separating rollers.

As shown in Figs. l and 2a, a power-driven roller 4 is provided mounted on a shaft 41 and provided with friction surface 42 formed of rubber or the like. Ar ranged below the power-driven roller 4t) is a second o braked roller 45 mounted on a shaft 46 and having i friction surface 47. For the purpose of supporting thl braked roller 45, the shaft 46 is mounted on a `pair o arms 48, 49 vertically swingable about a shaft 50. Spring i 51, 52 having their inner ends anchored to the shaft '5i 'e provided for biasing the roller 45 against the poweriven roller 40.

In order to provide a relatively constant braking torque, simple friction brake is provided on the roller 45. In le present instance this brake consists of a stationary .sk 55 having a friction lining 56 which bears against le left hand side wall of the roller 45'. The disk 55 is ichored in place by means of an anchoring member 60 hich is secured to the frame of the machine and is osely received in a notch 61 formed in the disk.

To apply a pre-determined force to the disk a coil )ring 62 is provided, the spring bearing against the sk 55 through a washer 64 at one end and having its ther end adjustably anchored to the shaft by means of collar 65. It will be apparent that the disk 55 thus rovides a constant torsional drag on the rotation of le associated roller 45, insuring the desired drag at the :gion of contact of the two rollers.

In carrying out the present invention means are proided for causing the feed roll 25 to feed normally as :ng as the braked roller 45 rotates but for disabling ie feed roll whenever the braked roller comes to a stop, ie brake being adjusted so that the braked roller ceases i rotate whenever there is more than one sheet of paper etween it and the power-driven roller 40. it will be )und when using the above arrangement that it is readily ossible to adjust the braking torque so that the drag will e overcome and the brake thus overpowered by the enagement of the roller surfaces when such surfaces are ding directly upon one another or when such surfaces re' separated by a single sheet of paper. The braking xrque is, however, made sufiiciently high so that when vo or more sheets are fed between the rollers, relative ippage will take place between the sheets enabling the rst or uppermost one of the sheets to be discharged by 1e power-driven roller with the remaining sheet or sheets eing held back by the surface of the braked roller.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. l a direct mechanical onnection is provided between the braked roller 45 and 1e feed roll 25, such connection consisting of a pair of our gears 71, 72. The torque for rotating the feed roll nder normal conditions is thus derived from the powerriven shaft 41 via the two rollers 40, 45 and the spur ears 71, 72, and the feed roll will continue to rotate as )ng as the sheets are fed one by one. However, upon 1e feeding of sheets two at a time, the frictional engageient between the rollers 40, 4S is broken by the rela- .ve slippage taking place between the sheets and the :ed roll` stops feeding until after the sheets between the eparating rollers are reduced to one, at which time the raked roller 45 and feed roll will again being to rotate. t will be appreciated that stoppage of the feed roll does -ot impede the withdrawing of the first sheet by the ower-driven separating roller because of the presence of 1e over-running clutch 28.

After leaving the separating rollers 40, 45 the sheets re passed between transport rollers 73, 74 which are `ower-driven by any suitable means at a peripheral speed vhich is preferably somewhat higher than the peripheral peed of the power-driven roller 40. Such speed diEerenial tends to insure that the sheets are adequately spaced `s they are fed one by one from the separating rollers.

The embodiment of the invention described above is atisfactory for separating sheets fed in multiples of two. owever, under some circumstances the sheets may be ed in multiples of three, and to insure separation under uch circumstances an additional pair of separating rollers s used corresponding to the rollers 40, 4S and so aranged that the presence of multiple sheets between either air of rollers is suicient to disable the feeding action f the feeding roll.

Referring to the second embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 3 a stack of sheets 82 isvfed by a the action of a separator plate just as described in Fig. l. After the sheetsV leave the feed roll 85 they are fed between a rst pair of separator rollers including a power-driven roller and a braked roller 105 mounted on a shaft 106 and having a brake 107 corresponding in construction to the brake shown in Fig. 2a. The power-driven roller is driven by the motor S7 through a train of spur gears 108.

Mounted at the end of the braked roller shaft is a rotation detector 110 for the purpose of operating a pair of electrical contacts in response to rotation of the shaft 106. As shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5 the rotation detector 110 includes a stationary cylindrical housing 111 which is journaled on the shaft 106 but which is prevented from rotating by means of a spring 112 which is anchored to the frame of the machine. Mounted on the housing 111 is a contact 113 which cooperates with a fixed contact 114. Arranged on the shaft 106 within the housing are a pair of vanes 115, 116, the housing being filled with a suitable viscous liquid so that the biasing force of the spring 112 is overcome and the contacts 113, 114 closed whenever there is clockwise rotation of the shaft 106, in other words, as long as the sheets are fed one by one in sequence. However, upon stoppage of the rotation of the shaft 106, caused by the presence of two or more sheets between the separating rollers, the housing 111 is rotated in a clockwise direction by the spring 112 thus opening the contacts. The particular rotation detector is merely exemplary, and any rotationresponsive means may be provided for operating the contacts.

Upon leaving the separating rollers 10i), 105 the sheets pass between a second pair of separating rollers constructed in the same manner as the first pair and having a rotation detector with corresponding parts being designated by corresponding reference numerals with the addition of subscript a. As in the case of the first pair of rollers the brake and rotation detector are adjusted so that the contacts 113e, llaa are closed only during normal operation, being opened when the rollers are engaged by multiple sheets. For the purpose. of rapidly removing cards fed from' the second pair of separating rollers, transport rollers 122, 123 are provided which are driven at a desired delivery speed by any suitable driving means.

In carrying out the invention in one of its aspects, la clutch is interposed between the feed roll 85 and the motor 87, the clutch being of the well-known electrical type and coupled. to the contacts of the rotation detectors 110, 110e so that the clutch is uncoupled whenever multiple sheets exist at either of the pairs of separating rollers. This is accomplished in the present instance by connecting the contacts in series as shown in Fig. 3, power being supplied by a battery 121 or other suitable source of electric current.

To permit the operation of the feeding arrangement of Fig. 3 to be more readily visualized, reference is made to the stop-motion diagrams of Figs. 6-10, inclusive. Fig. 6 shows the simultaneous feeding of three sheets a, b, c into the first pair of separating rollers. Figs. 7-9 show intermediate steps in the operation, and Fig. 10 shows the sheets after complete separation has been effected. In all of the figures rotation of a given element is indicated by the presence of an arrow while lall irnmobilized elements are designated by the word stopped The condition of the associated electrical contacts is indicated directly below each pair of separating rollers.

The condition which exists prior to the arrival of the three superimposed sheets is set forth in Fig. 6 where it will be noted that the feed rolls separating rollers and transport rollers are 1all rotating normally and with all of the switch contacts closed. When the sheets a, b, c arrive at the separating rollers 100, 105 direct frictional contact between the rollers is broken; thus the roller 105 stops. The roller 100y continuestorotate and the result- 5. only to be forwarded into engagement with the second pair of separating rollers. Due to the stoppage of the braked roller 105, the contacts 113, 114 are opened, deenergizing the clutch 120 and disabling the feed roll 85 so that no further feeding takes place.

Upon continued rotation of the roller 100 the sheets a, b engage the second pair of separating rollers. This breaks the frictional contact between these two rollers so that roller 105:1 is stopped by its brake thereby holding back further passage of the sheet b. Sheet a, however, is advanced into engagement with the transport rollers 122, 123 which cause the sheet to be carried away at a relatively high rate of speed.

After sheet a has been discharged from between the rollers 10011, 105a, frictional contact between the rollers is reestablshed and the rollers proceed to discharge the second sheet b. With sheet b drawn from the first pair of separating rollers, such rollers are effective to transport sheet c, 'as shown in Fig. 10, thus completing the separating cycle. With both sets of contacts closed the clutch is energized to reestablish rotation of the feed roll 25. The sheets are then fed singly from the stack 82 into the transport rollers 122, 123 until such time as multiple feeding may again occur.

In the above discussion it has been assumed that slippage takes place between b and c so that sheets a, b are forwarded with sheet c held back (Fig. 7). It is possible that the friction between a, b will be less than the friction between b, c, in which case two sheets, namely b and c, will be held back by the roller 105. While this will cause the forwarding procedure to differ slightly from that shown in Figs. 6-10, there is no difference in end result. Thus, sheet a will pass uninterruptedly through the rollers 100l1, 105a and as soon as sheet a clears the rollers 100, 105, sheet b will be fed followed in turn by sheet c. Where the latter sequence occurs it will be apparent that all of the separating is accomplished by rollers 100, 105, the rollers 100a, 105a performing only a standby function.

A high order of reliability is achieved by the above apparatus in spite of wide variations in the thickness, stiffness, and size of the sheets being fed. It is to be especially noted that the braked roller in each of the pairs is stopped by the presence of two or more superimposed sheets without any dependence whatsoever upon the thickness or other characteristics of the sheets. It is found in practice that sheets in the form of checks, vouchers and other business paper have a relatively high degree of similarity in their frictional characteristics so that the adjustment of braking torque need not be particularly critical. Stated another way, Ya. single adjustment of the brake sutiices for all types of sheets likely to be encountered.

The embodiments discussed above insure single feeding of two and three superimposed sheets, respectively. This is adequate for normal purposes since it is only rarely that three sheets are fed at the same time. However, if it is desired to provide for the separation of sheets in higher multiples, this can be accomplished simply by adding additional pairs of separating rollers, with the contacts thereof all connected in series in the clutch circuit, a matter well within the capability of one yskilled in the art.

The first embodiment described above has the `advantage of extreme simplicity and no electric control circuits or clutch are required. The'second embodiment is particularly suited for the feeding of thicker sheets such -as IBM cards or the like where relatively higher amounts of torque may be required at the feed roll. In this embodiment the braked rollers are unloaded except for the drag of the brake and the drag of the rotation detector. This not only enables the brakes to be more accurately adjusted but also enables an unlimited amount of torque to he supplied from the motor 87 to the feed roll 85. While a separate ladjustable brake has been provided in the labove embodiments, it will be appreciated that thi important thing is the presence of drag. This in Fig. the brake may be omitted if the loading on the feed rol provides sufficient drag. Also in Fig. 3 the rotation de tector, by proper choice of uid and vane size may pro vide sufficient drag to make a `separate brake unnecessary Since the feeding arrangement described above may bl constructed simply and compactly it may, if desired b1 incorporated as a unit in both new and existing machine` wherever single feeding is essential, particularly machine.` cap-able of reading coded information at high speed fo: automatic bookkeeping purposes and the like.

I claim as my invention:

l. A feeding arrangement comprising in combinatioi a means providing a source of sheets in overlying rela tion, means including a feed member for feeding sheet; from the source, a pair of separating rollers at the outpu of the sheet-feeding means and having friction surface: in rolling engagement with one another, the first one o. said rollers being power-driven, the second roller being arranged to rotate by reason of the friction drive fron said first roller under normal feeding conditions bu ceasing to rotate by reason of slippage between the sheet: when two or more sheets are fed between the separating rollers, and means responsive to temporary non-rotatior of the second roller for disabling the feed member.

2. A feeding arrangement comprising in combinatior a hopper for stacked sheets, means including a rotatabl feed member for feeding sheets from the stack, a pair o separating rollers at the output of the sheet-feeding mean. and having friction surfaces in rolling engagement witl one another, the rst one of said rollers being power driven, the second roller being arranged to rotate b1 reason of the friction drive from the first roller unde: normal feeding conditions but ceasing to rotate by reason of slippage between the sheets when two or more sheet are fed between the separating rollers, and means respon sive to temporary non-rotation of the second roller fo disabling the feed member, said rotatable feed membe including an over-running clutch to permit the feed mem ber to rotate yieldingly upon withdrawal of the to; sheet in the stack by the power-driven roller under con ditions of disablement of the feed member.

3. A feeding arrangement comprising in combinatioi a hopper for stacked sheets, means including a feet member for feeding sheets from the stack, a pair o separating rollers at the output of the feeding means an( having friction surfaces in rolling engagement with ont another, the first one of said rollers being power-drive] and the second roller having a friction brake so tha the second roller rotates under normal feeding condi tions but ceases to rotate when two or more sheets an fed between the separating rollers by reason of slippag between the sheets, and means responsive to temporarj non-rotation of the braked roller for disabling the feed ing member.

4. A feeding arrangement comprising in combination a hopper for stacked sheets, means including a feed mem ber having means for driving the same for feeding o sheets from the stack, iirst and second separating roller at the output of the feeding means and having frictioi surfaces in rolling engagement with one another, mean for driving the lirst roller at a speed coordinated witl the speed of the feed member, the second roller havin,` a friction brake so that such roller rotates under norma feeding conditions but ceases to rotate when two or mor' sheets are fed between the separating rollers by reasoi of slippage between the sheets, and means responsive t1 non-rotation of the second roller for disabling the feet roll.

5. A feeding arrangement comprising in combinatioi a hopper for stacked sheets, means including a feed rol for feeding sheets from the stack, a pair of separatim rollers having friction surfaces in rolling engagement witl one another, the irst one of said rollers being power `iven and the second roller having a friction brake so at such roller rotates under normal feeding conditions lt ceases to rotate when two or more sheets are fed :tween the separating rollers by reason of slippage be- 'een the sheets, said feed roll being drivingly coupled said second roller so that feeding is terminated upon mporary non-rotation of the second roller.

6. A feeding arrangement comprising in combination hopper for stacked sheets, means including a feed roll r feeding sheets from the stack, a pair of separating #llers having friction surfaces in rolling engagement with 1e another, the rst one of said rollers being power iven and the second roller having a friction brake so at such roller rotates under normal feeding conditions 1t ceases to rotate when two or more sheets are fed :tween the separating rollers by reason of slippage be- Ieen the sheets, and means for drivingly coupling the ed roll to said second roller so that feeding is terminated )on temporary non-rotation of the second roller, said lupling means including an over-running clutch to per- `it yielding rotation of said feed roll in response to sheet ovement.

7. A feeding arrangement comprising in combination hopper for stacked sheets, means including a feed roll r feeding sheets from the stack, a pair of separating 11ers at the output of the feed roll and having friction lrfaces in rolling engagement with one another, the ist one of said rollers being powendriven and the second 1e of said rollers being torque loaded so that such roller states under normal feeding conditions but ceases to tate when two or more sheets are fedV between the :parating rollers, means for driving the feed roll, a tation detector associated with the second roller, and .eans controlled by the rotation detector for disabling le drive means for the feed roll.

8. A sheet separating means for use with a sheet-feeding :vice comprising in sub-combination a power-driven )ller and a braked roller, said rollers having friction lrfaces and biased into engagement with one another, tid braked roller having a brake for providing a frictional tag thereon so that upon engagement by the rollers of lultiple sheets relative slippage occurs between the sheets ith the braked roller remaining stationary, and means rexonsive to the stationary condition of the braked roller )r concurrently disabling the feeding device.

9. In a sheet-feeding arrangement the combination Jmprising a hopper for stacked sheets, means including` a feed roll for feeding sheets from the stack, rst and second pairs of separating rollers arranged in series with respect to the feed roll, each of said pairs including a power-driven roller and a braked roller in rolling contact therewith, said rollers being provided with friction surfaces so that the presence of multiple sheets between either of said pairs of rollers causes the braked roller thereof to remain stationary accompanied by relative slippage of the sheets, and means responsive to the stationary condition of either of said braked rollers for disabling the feed roll.

10. In a sheet-feeding arrangement the combination comprising a hopper for stacked sheets, means including a feed roll for feeding sheets from the stack, first and second pairs of separating rollers arranged in a spaced series with respect to the feed roll, each of said pairs including a power-driven roller and a second roller in rolling contact therewith, said rollers having friction surfaces and the second roller in each pair having a brake means for applying a friction drag thereon so that the presence of multiple sheets between either of said pairs of rollers causes the braked roller thereof to remain stationary accompanied by relative slippage of the sheets, rotation detectors coupled to the braked rollers, and means controlled by the rotation detectors for disabling the feed roll upon stoppage of either of the braked rollers.

11. A sheet-separating means for use with a sheetfeeding device comprising in sub-combination a plurality of pairs of separating rollers, each pair including a powerdriven roller and a braked roller, said rollers having friction surfaces and biased into engagement with one another, each of said braked rollers having means for providing a drag thereon so that upon engagement by the rollers of multiple sheets relative slippage occurs hetween the sheets with the hraked roller remaining stationary, and means responsive to the stationary condition of any one of the braked rollers for concurrently disabling the feeding device.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,701,861 Niblacl: Feb. 12, 1929 2,058,005 Donnellan Oct. 20, 1936 2,129,230 ONeil Sept. 6, 1938 2,224,138 Trydal Dec. 10, 1940 2,670,954 Bach Mar. 2, 1954 

